Posted on 02/21/2003 9:54:27 AM PST by knighthawk
The Netherlands is taking the threat of a terrorist attack with biological weapons very seriously. Caretaker Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has called on the Dutch population to remain vigilant in view of mounting international tension over Iraq. The Netherlands could well be a target of terror, he stressed. But are the Dutch emergency services prepared for a biological attack?
It was the September 11 suicide attacks that changed the Dutch government's perception of the threat of a bio-terrorist attack. The need for preventive measures seemed even more acute following the discovery in the United States of letters containing the deadly agent anthrax. The Dutch authorities have now stockpiled 20 million doses of the smallpox vaccine, and the ministry of health has instructed municipalities to make preparations for a mass smallpox vaccination operation.
Leading Dutch virologist Albert Osterhaus says the Netherlands is on the right track, but he warns one can never be fully prepared for an attack with biological weapons.
"Unfortunately, one cannot prepare for every eventuality. Things are gradually improving, but it all comes at a price. Substantial investments have been made to be able to respond quickly to a smallpox epidemic. Of course, this money can no longer be spent on other threats, which means you're always lagging behind. And that's why I believe it's essential to have the infrastructure up and running."
General practitioners General practitioners play a crucial role in this infrastructure as they are set to be the first to deal with the victims of a biological attack. In December 2001, all GPs in the Netherlands were sent detailed information on bioterrorism. They should now be able to recognize the symptoms, says Pim Assendelft of the Dutch College of General Practitioners.
Dr Assendelft explains there's no need for specific contingency plans for general practitioners, who have to refer all serious complaints inflicted by bioterrorism or other causes to a hospital. "That's the location where – in the event of a bioterrorist attack – patients will turn to and where contingency plans will have to be implemented."
The Dutch medical authorities have drawn up several scenarios to prepare hospitals for a sudden large influx of victims, says Mariet Bolluyt, spokesperson for the VU Medical Centre in Amsterdam.
"In principle, hospitals are always able to accommodate large numbers of casualties, because they have two types of contingency plans: an internal emergency plan for fires or other disasters that may occur inside the hospital, and more importantly, the `ZIBO emergency plan´ that spells out what to do in the event of a large influx of patients, for instance after a major road accident, plane crash or a company gas leak. There are regular exercises to keep staff up to date."
Joining forces It's this phased plan that is set to go into force after an attack with biological weapons, explains Mariet Bolluyt. Hospitals will then join forces, call in doctors and set up special wards.
"At the VU hospital, patients will first be admitted to the first aid after which they'll be gradually moved to special wards. Patients in regular wards may have to make way for the new casualties and move to other wards. Because our aim is to keep all the victims of a biological attack together."
And so, the Dutch medical world is busy making preparations. Every citizen must be alert, according to Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, but there's no need for panic.
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